Michael Dorn is an American actor and voice actor, who is known for his role as the KlingonWorf in the Star Trek franchise. From his first appearance in the series premiere episode of ', "Encounter at Farpoint", in 1987 to his last in ' in 2002, Dorn has appeared more times as a regular cast member than any other Star Trek actor in the franchise's history, spanning five films and 272 television episodes. He also appeared as Worf's ancestor, Colonel Worf, in the 1991 film . Following the end of his Star Trek career, Dorn had supporting roles in a number of independent feature films, including Shadow Hours, Lessons for an Assassin, and the Santa Clause trilogy, in which he appeared in a minor role as the Sandman.
Early life
Dorn was born in Luling, Texas, the son of Allie Lee and Fentress Dorn, Jr. He grew up in Pasadena, California. He studied radio and television production at Pasadena City College. From there, he pursued a career in music as a performer with several different rock music bands, traveling to San Francisco and then back to Los Angeles.
Career
Early work
Dorn first appeared in Rocky as Apollo Creed's bodyguard, though he was not credited. He also appeared as a guest on the television show W.E.B. in 1978. The producer was impressed with his work, so he introduced Dorn to an agent who then introduced him to acting teacher Charles E. Conrad to study acting for six months. He then landed a regular role on the television series CHiPs.
''Star Trek''
Dorn's most famous role to date is that of the Klingon Starfleet officer Lieutenant Worf in ' and '. "If what happened to the first cast is called being typecast," Dorn says, "then I want to be typecast. Of course, they didn't get the jobs after 'Trek.' But they are making their sixth movie. Name me someone else in television who has made six movies!" Dorn has appeared on-screen in more Star Trek episodes and movies as the same character than anyone else: he appeared in 175 episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation |Code of Honor", "Haven |Haven", and " was as Colonel Worf, representing Captain James T. Kirk and Dr. Leonard McCoy at their trial on Qo'noS and also unmasking the real assassin, Colonel West. Dorn directed the ' episodes "In the Cards", "Inquisition |Inquisition" and "When It Rains...", and the ' episode "Two Days and Two Nights". In 2012, Dorn announced a desire to return to his Klingon role in a television series tentatively titled Star Trek: Captain Worf. He said:
I had come up with the idea because I love and I think he's a character that hasn't been fully developed and hasn't been fully realized. Once I started thinking about it, it became obvious to me that I wanted to at least put it out there, which I have, and the response has been pretty amazing. We've been contacted by different individuals–I can't say who and all that–about wanting to come on board and be part of this.
In 2014, Dorn participated in the fan produced Star Trek episode "Fairest of Them All", giving his voice to the computer of the Mirror UniverseEnterprise. During the production of Star Trek: The Next Generation'', castmates occasionally used the nickname "Turtle Head" when referring to Michael Dorn.
Other work
Dorn has appeared in a number of TV shows, films, and video games. He has been the spokesman for Neutrogena T-Gel Shampoo, and has appeared in a Dodge Dart car commercial. Dorn has appeared as Worf on Webster and Family Guy, the latter along with fellow Star Trek: The Next Generation stars. He had a recurring role on the television series Castle, playing the therapist of NYPD police detective Kate Beckett. Dorn appeared in a 2012 tongue-in-cheek television commercial for Chrysler as "Future Guy", a time traveler sent from the future to assist development of the 2013 Dodge Dart. He also plays the role of General Thain in the "Castlevania: Hymn of Blood" web series.
